Podcast Summary: Science of Perception Box – "Why Your Brain Needs Awe and Wonder with Dr. Dacher Keltner"
Podcast Information:
- Title: Science of Perception Box
- Hosts: Dr. Heather Berlin and Dr. Christoph Koch
- Guest: Dr. Dacher Keltner
- Release Date: February 27, 2025
- Platform: YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music
Introduction to Awe
In this compelling episode of Science of Perception Box, hosts Dr. Heather Berlin and Dr. Christoph Koch engage in an enlightening conversation with Dr. Dacher Keltner, a renowned professor of psychology at UC Berkeley and director of the Greater Good Science Center. The discussion centers on the profound emotion of awe—its definition, impact, and potential applications in enhancing human well-being.
Dr. Dacher Keltner introduces awe as a distinct emotion characterized by the encounter with something vast and beyond our immediate understanding:
“Awe is an emotion, so it's a distinct state that we feel when we encounter things, for the most part, that are vast and beyond our frame of reference.” (04:05)
Defining Awe
The conversation begins with personal anecdotes from the hosts about their experiences of awe—Dr. Koch recounts a transcendent moment at the opera, while Dr. Berlin describes the overwhelming feeling upon witnessing the birth of her daughter. These stories set the stage for Dr. Keltner's exploration of awe as an emotion that transcends ordinary feelings, invoking a sense of connection to something larger than oneself.
Dr. Keltner elaborates on awe by referencing William James and the evolutionary significance of the emotion:
“Social mammals, humans, hypersocial, we did everything socially. We needed mechanisms to quiet down self-interest and orient to other people.” (09:18)
Cultural Perspectives on Awe
Dr. Keltner discusses the universality of awe across different cultures, highlighting studies conducted in 26 countries. Despite linguistic differences, the underlying experiences of awe—whether through nature, music, or collective movements—show remarkable similarities:
“Once you gather data on stories of awe, you know, physiology of awe, people's how it affects people socially, there's a deeper similarity across Cultures underlying these linguistic differences that we're documenting.” (10:23)
This universality underscores awe's role in fostering a shared human experience, bridging cultural divides through common emotional responses.
Physiological Aspects of Awe
A significant portion of the discussion delves into the physiological underpinnings of awe. Dr. Keltner explains the role of the vagus nerve in the awe response:
“The vagus nerve... it slows us down, it calms us, it helps us vocalize, helps us make eye contact, social stuff. And so it's about social engagement.” (07:21)
He also touches upon the potential for future technological advancements, such as an "awe meter," to measure awe through physiological indicators like goosebumps and oxytocin release:
“There are all these parts of the puzzle. Words, physiology, how I move my body, what it means to me, and that's key, which is awe.” (07:09)
Awe and Well-Being
The episode explores the profound impact of awe on mental health and well-being. Dr. Keltner shares research demonstrating awe's ability to reduce PTSD symptoms among veterans:
“A week later they have a 32% drop in PTSD. And if you talk to people who are working with PTSD... awe teaches you that there's a cycle of life.” (17:45)
He emphasizes awe's role in providing meaning and purpose, suggesting that regular awe experiences can foster greater life satisfaction and resilience:
“Awe is offering up things we're really good at to help our well-being. Music, nature, forest bathing... even moral beauty.” (16:35)
Awe in Therapy and PTSD Treatment
Anecdotes about veterans and transformative experiences illustrate awe's therapeutic potential. Dr. Keltner recounts Stacy Bear's story, where rock climbing and outdoor activities led to a significant reduction in PTSD symptoms:
“Awe saved his life. He got a lot of people outdoors and we happened to study some veterans who just do a half day rafting... a 32% drop in PTSD.” (24:33)
This demonstrates awe's capacity to help individuals process trauma by shifting their focus from self to a larger, more meaningful context.
Awe Across the Lifespan
The discussion highlights awe's presence from childhood into adulthood. Dr. Keltner references studies on children experiencing awe and the diminishing frequency of awe as cultural influences grow:
“There's a lot of awe early in life and then culture intrudes.” (20:26)
He suggests that encouraging awe through activities like nature walks and intentional listening to music can rekindle this essential emotion in later life stages.
Practical Ways to Cultivate Awe
The hosts and Dr. Keltner offer actionable strategies for cultivating awe in daily life:
- Mindful Walking: Taking walks without digital distractions, focusing on the small and vast elements of the environment.
- Intentional Music Listening: Engaging deeply with music to experience its transcendent qualities.
- Nature Engagement: Participating in activities like forest bathing or outdoor sports to connect with the natural world.
- Reflection on Moral Beauty: Contemplating acts of kindness and courage to foster a sense of connection and purpose.
Dr. Keltner encourages listeners to incorporate these practices regularly to enhance their perception and well-being:
“Once a week for 10 minutes, go look for it.” (31:28)
Awe's Dual Nature: Positive and Threatening
The conversation acknowledges that awe is not solely a positive emotion. Dr. Keltner explains that about a quarter of awe experiences are intertwined with fear or threat, altering its emotional profile:
“About a quarter of all experiences have serious threat in them... it's more stress related in terms of bodily physiology and it doesn't have the benefits of awe.” (28:11)
This duality highlights the complexity of awe and the importance of context in determining its overall impact on an individual's emotional state.
Awe vs. Cynicism
Dr. Keltner contrasts awe-proneness with cynicism, suggesting that a closed, cynical mindset inhibits the ability to experience awe. He emphasizes the need to overcome cultural cynicism to embrace awe and its associated benefits:
“We need to ignore deep cynicism. ... we need a bigger idea about humanity.” (35:35)
This reorientation towards awe can counteract the prevalent cynicism in contemporary digital culture, fostering a more connected and meaningful existence.
Conclusion and Final Thoughts
The episode concludes with reflections on how awe can serve as a powerful tool for personal and societal transformation. Dr. Keltner envisions a future where awe is integrated into mental health practices, enhancing well-being and resilience:
“I think it's a future of mental health.” (16:35)
The hosts encourage listeners to explore their own Perception Box by engaging with awe-inducing activities and contemplating how to integrate awe into their daily lives for a more enriched and connected reality.
Final Quote:
“Awe teaches you that there's a cycle of life. It's the fundamental principle of the natural world. Everything is born, grows and ends... and that is reassuring.” – Dr. Dacher Keltner (19:20)
Timestamp References:
- 04:05 Dr. Dacher Keltner defines awe.
- 07:09 Dr. Keltner discusses physiological measures of awe.
- 07:21 The role of the vagus nerve.
- 09:18 Awe's evolutionary purpose.
- 10:23 Cultural similarities in awe experiences.
- 16:35 Awe's role in well-being and mental health.
- 17:45 Awe in PTSD treatment.
- 20:26 Awe across the lifespan.
- 24:33 Story of Stacy Bear and PTSD.
- 28:11 Awe's dual nature with threat.
- 31:28 Practical awe cultivation methods.
- 35:35 Overcoming cynicism to embrace awe.
- 37:38 Final reflections on awe and imagination.
Discover More: To delve deeper into your own Perception Box, visit unlikelycollaborators.com for additional resources, perception box questions, and to subscribe to the Science of Perception Box on your preferred podcast platform.